There IS Time on Earth

In an earlier blog, I talked about how there is no time in Heaven. Just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten the music, but there is time here and I've been spending this last week with Ariel, getting ready for the end of summer vacation and for her new school year to begin. She is in Australian Year 10 now and started classes today, on Tues.

I love honoring God and Zack and sharing stuff with you on-line but I love even more to spend time with Ariel. I"m so aware of the short amount of time that we have our kids at home with us and so want to make the most of all the time.

I'll continue with the Month of Music (okay, it's not really a month, so let's just say 31 Days of Music) tomorrow.

Cheers,

love,

B

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MOM 8 "Who Am I?" by Casting Crowns

I love this song because, to me, it explains the Christian perspective on salvation better than any song I've ever heard. Also, it came out the year after we lost Zack, and it was so comforting to remember that in the pits of my depression and utter sadness, God was there, He cared and He understood. Listening to this song is bittersweet for me because it reminds me how fragile Zack's life turned out to be. It underscore the frailty of human life. We really are just "flowers quickly fading" and "vapors in the wind" - hearing this reminds me to live each day to the fullest because life is fragile. Do I always do that? No, sadly, not really, not as much as I should.
But I gain strength from the knowledge that my salvation and promise of heaven do not depend on my doing enough good things to qualify, but only on the sacrifice that Christ had already made for me. As the song says, "Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done. Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are."

God has "calmed the storm in me" many times over in the last few years. How I appreciate that and how I appreciate Christ's sacrifice for me. I truly am His. Whom shall I fear?


Who Am I
by Casting Crowns

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see our sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am.
But because what of youve done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
You told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cuz I am yours.
I am yours.

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MOM6 "What If His People Prayed" by Casting Crowns

I chose this song today because prayer is the theme of the day. This song actually came out after Zack left us, but he would have really liked Casting Crowns. They have a good sound and their messages are bold, comforting and thought provoking. Today, I joined a new prayer ministry at our Australian home church, Kenmore Baptist Church. After what we have been through and all we've seen of the power of prayer, I'm excited to be able to participate in helping others discover it's strength.

When we found out we were being considered for the Brisbane position, we prayed that God would send us where he wanted us to be. So many things about the move just fell into place that we just knew it was right. As part of the answer to our prayers, God led Ken to Kenmore Baptist last Easter. He was moved by the sermon and the spirit of the church. We believe KBC understands Jesus' teachings and really encourages their members to use them to go into the world to make a difference in people's lives in the name of Christ's love. Also, through the church, we have met Lisa and David Bagnall. They and their children are the nicest, coolest and most fun people you would want to know and they have a real love of God - another prayer answered.

Kenmore Baptist, in the suburbs of Brisbane, Australia, is an exciting place to be right now.
Link to them here http://www.kbc.org.au/
They are in the process of relocating, building and expanding their campus, to make more room for the current needs of the ministries in the church, but also to be a place of Christian outreach and comfort to the greater Brisbane area. I do hope we get a bookstore in the church, like we have back home at The Woodlands United Methodist Church (see link on sidebar) because Brisbane is the third largest city in all of Australia and only has one Christian bookstore.

Today's song is based on a promise in the Old Testament about prayer - a great verse that contains four requests from God, but also offers three promises in return.
It is 2 Chronicles 7:14 "... if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

What If His People Prayed
by Casting Crowns
http://www.castingcrowns.com/music.php?content=album&album=31657

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captives free
And not let satan have one more

What if the church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates

Chorus:
What if His people prayed
And all who bare His name
Would humbly seek His face
And Turn from their own way

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

Chorus:
What if His people prayed
And all who bare His name
Would humbly seek His face
And Turn from their own way
He said that they would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear
If only we would pray

If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray

Prayer is powerful and I hope that you will find that out in your own life this week.

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